BATMAN : THE LONG HALLOWEEN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Mini TPB Review

Rating 4.9 out of 5

Originally published in 1997 this mini still has kick and eye appeal.
It's a staple of Batman fandom.  If you start a question asking "What Batman/Bruce Wayne story's should I read?"...this one indubitably comes up.  There are, of course,  nay sayer's of this story but we'll get into that in the spoilers.

Jeph Loeb created a wonderful work of mystery in this mini and Tim Sale...sold it. Tim Sale really knows how to tell a story with his craft.  Also, let's not forget Gregory Wright who did the colors, the coloring brought out the drama of the story.    With the holiday's coming up this is a good time for DC to reprint the Trade Paperback.  The leaves falling outside my window and the moody weather helps with the tone of the story.

The Long Halloween is about a killer nicknamed Holiday because he kill's on holiday's starting with Halloween.  In the background of the story you have Captain Gordan and District Attorney Harvey Dent trying to fit their family's into their life of fighting crime.  The story has tons of wonderful cameos from the villain elites of Gotham city as it travels from one holiday to the next. I've got to admit the twist and turns at the end of the story did throw me.

Cameo's include:

Calender Man
Joker
Catwoman
Scarecrow
Mad Hatter
Poison Ivy
Riddler
Solomon Grundy
Two Face
The Falcone mobster family

It really is a great read just for the amount of story you get with all these characters.

SOME SPOILERS:

My biggest peeve and the main reason I can't give it a 5 out 5, is that it takes Bruce 13 months to solve the crime.  I mean....come on... this is Batman...it shouldn't have took him but a couple of days... max. I also have a problem with Riddler being portrayed as a deuce. All the other villians came out looking really villianey but Riddler lack any evil sparkle.

Otherwise it's a awesome story.

BATMAN 198 review 80 page Giant

RATING:
4.3 out of 5

It's contains reissues of several stories that were published previously, but if you can't find the original sources this issue is a great alternative. Even though Batman isn't as grim as he is today, these stories were fun and full of action.  You've got to expect a few "Golly Gee Whiz"s, but if you find a Batman 198, snatch it up and enjoy a simpler time.

There are seven complete stories in this 80-page giant. Below is a list of the stories. I've included spoilers for what happened in each and  I've included the splash page for each.  There are no credits except for Bob Kane's signature, but if you click on this:
Link on creators 
Someone at the Grand Comics Database tracked down the creators.

 1. The Origin of the Batman:

Originally in Batman #47-"The Tale of the Caped Crimebuster's showdown with the man who murdered his parents!"

SPOILER:

In this story Batman sees Joe Chill, a local gangster, and recognizes him as the man who killed his parents. He confronts him and reveals he is Bruce Wayne. Joe Chill runs and tells his henchmen that he was responsible for creating Batman. The henchmen turn on Joe Chill and shoot him, because he created Batman.

A version of this story was on the animated series Batman: Brave and the Bold, "Chill of the Night".

2. The Jungle Cat-Queen:
 Original story in Detective #211-"The Catwoman...Princess of Plunder...bedevils the Dynamic Duo on an island populated by prowling jungle cats."

SPOILER:
Batman and Robin chase the Empress of the Underworld, Catwoman, to her island hideout. The locals capture the dynamic duo, but before they are shot in a volley of gunfire, Catwoman steps in and convinces the locals that there is more fun in hunting the dynamic duo through the local jungle.  She also has the locals take off the duo's costumes and dress them in jungle attire.  She mockingly chases them, then the locals catch Batman again.  Catwoman has them put back on Batman's costume and the locals toss him over a waterfall.  Catwoman is distressed because she thought Batman died in the waterfall fall, "Batman... gone. and  I thought he'd save himself...He always has in the past."
BUT he had survived and with Robin's help captures the locals, but Catwoman gets away.

This was a very fun story, and much better told then the teaser in the Batman: Brave and the Bold episode "Shadow of the Bat'. The art is great and very detailed.

 3. The Web of the Spinner

Original from Batman #129-"...Batwoman, teaming with the Titanic Twosome to tackle the whirligig of crime, the Spinner!"

SPOILER:

Batwoman does make a cameo in this story and with her help ascertained who the Spinner was and captured him.
It's my least favorite of the stories.

Both her and the Spinner show up in the Batman: Brave and the Bold episode, "The Criss Cross Conspiracy!"

 4. The Man of 1,000 Umbrellas

Originally syndicated in the Sunday Newspapers-"The Penguin forgets his fowl play ofr a day to welcome his Aunt Miranda and introduce her to his "Friends"- Batman and Robin!"

SPOILER:

This was very fun...with the Penguin trying to get away from the dynamic duo and at the same time keep his aunt in the dark about his nefarious ways.  Batman and Robin are soft hearted toward the aunt and keep Penguins facade of being a umbrella manufacturer. Finally the aunt has to leave to catch a train for home and the Penguin is caged.

 5. The Crimes of Batman
Originally in World's Finest #61-"When the Joker nabs Robin, Batman must ransom his sidekick by cheating, stealing and killing!"

SPOILER:

This was great...
Joker feels that Batman has made a fool of him by getting him to help solve a crime, like a lawman. Joker decides to turn the tide and make Batman turn into a criminal. He captures Robin, and tells Batman, "You shall CHEAT, STEAL, And KILL..in that order! AND each event must be well-publicized so that th world knows of your guilt! Ho-Ho-Ho! Failure to do this will result in Robin's Death!"

Batman achieves all three without actually doing the crimes, with the finale ending up with Batman,  "Killing two birds with one stone!" by capturing the Joker and freeing Robin. 

As I said, this was great with Batman having the mental triumph  over Joker.

 6. The Menace of False Face
Originally in Batman #113-"You've seen him battle Batman on TV! Now read the story of the first clash between False Face and the Cowled Crusader."

SPOILER:
False Face poses as well known wealthy men to steal treasure. Batman tracks him down, then poses as False Face letting the henchmen lead him to the lair where all the stolen goods are being kept. This had a good surprise reveal of Batman as False Face.

7. The Bandit of the Bells

Originally in Batman #55-"The bells are ringing...for wrong...when the Gong and his gang of goons strike...and come face-to -face with Batman and Robin!

SPOILER:

Despite the cacophony of sound this would be of lower decibel then the other stories, but it was still entertaining to see how the duo gets off of a buoy and how they track him down from a small whole punch of a bell.



I hope that all of you enjoyed this little blast from the past. I know I did. -AA

GOTHAM CITY SIRENS : SONG OF THE SIRENS ISSUES 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

All the covers are by Guillem March

Rating 3.3 out of 5

A decent set of stories about second stringers...but nothing earthshaking to make you go "wow".
The TPB has mostly Poison Ivy getting a job at S.T.A.R. Labs but does have a encounter between Selina/Catwoman and her sister. This encounter is after the Blackest Night storyline where her sister starts hating her. The Riddler makes some cameos appearances. These stories take place after the bomb exploded in Riddler's face in the storyline Life After Death storyline in Batman.  The TPB is NOT a all inclusive storyline, the last issue, #14 is only part one of a storyline and... has "to be continued" at the end.

I think my biggest problem with this series is that there is not enough sex appeal. It's too tame. There's not enough psychotic Charlies Angels storyline. They're too cutesy. I don't think Selina has made one single growl or purr in this series. The individual titles of Catwoman and Harley Quinn were more edgy.  

I don't think I gave any spoilers to the issues in my individual reviews below, just a basic synopsis.

REVIEW Issue 8
Plot &Art: Guillem March, Dialogue: Marc Andreyko, Colors Tomeu Morey, Letters: Travis Lanham, Asst Editor: Janelle siegel, Editor: Mike Marts.

Rating 3.5 out of 5

Posion Ivy is accused of murders that she didn't commit and the story starts out with Ivy left for dead in a pit, and she is having flash backs of her past. It was a decent murder mystery with the other two trying to find her. It was nice stand alone issue diving into Poison Ivy's psychee.

REVIEW Issue 9 and 10
Titles: "Pieces of the Puzzle" and "Taking Sides"

Writer: Paul Dini Artist:Guillem March, Guest Penciller: Andres Guinaldo, Guest Inker: Raul fernandez Colors Tomeu Morey & Ian Hannin, Letters: Steve Wands, Asst Editor: Janelle siegel, Editor: Mike Marts.

RATING 3 out of 5

The three sirens illicit the Riddler's help in solving a murder mystery involving a body that was dropped through their skyline.

It was kinda meh storyline...but gives a reason for Riddler to resent the sirens in future stories. This takes place after he got hit in the face with a bomb blast and started remembering who he was.... and wearing his mask again.

 

REVIEW Issue 11
Title: "On the Job"
Writer: Paul Dini, Penciller: Andres Guinaldo, Inkers: Raul Fernandez Colors: Ian Hannin, Letters: Steve Wands, Asst Editor: Janelle Siegel, Editor: Mike Marts.

RATING 3.5 out of 5
 
This issue was fun but not action packed. The mystery of the missing pets was priceless. There is the added mystery of why Poison Ivy is getting a job at a S.T.A.R. Labs facility located in Gotham. The downside of the issue is that the Poison Ivy's Storyline is to be continued into issue #12, so this isn't stand alone issue. I loved the art and the coloring of the issue... and the re-pore between the girls. I was looking forward to the next issue.

REVIEW  12, 13, 14
Titles:   "Sister Zero" part 1 and 2, "Strange Fruit" part one

Writer: Tony Bedard, Pencillers: Peter Nguyen and Andres Guinaldo, Inker: Jack Purcell, Raul Fernandez and Lorenzo Ruggiero, Colors:  Tony Avina, JD smith and Tomeu Morey, Letters: Steve Wands, Asst Editor: Janelle Siegel, Editor: Mike Marts.

RATING 3.2 out of 5
 
WHAM...a different creative team takes over the series and the ongoing story.  I didn't care for the art in these as well as I did in issue 11. I think it's the coloring.  For all the action involved it kinda seemed like bland set of story lines, again I think it's maybe the art, but I was just turning pages to get to the end of the story.
The storyline involving Catwoman's sister is handled in issues 12-13 with Poison Ivy's storyline at STAR labs being touched on and continued into issue 14.

The Poison Ivy story continues into the next TPB with issue 15.

BATMAN: THE STREETS OF GOTHAM VOL. 1: HUSH MONEY TPB

RATING: 3.4 out of 5 points: 

This TPB is mostly filler. It gives the background as to how HUSH became the puppet to the Wayne family by being  Bruce Wayne's face to the public, but it is not all inclusive story with a set end.  It has its moments, but when you get to the Streets of Gotham you will find that you have to wade through a lot of unnecessary additional story lines that also don't end in this trade paperback.

Reading order for the books that are included in this trade paper back:


1. DETECTIVE #852
2. BATMAN #685
3. BATMAN: Streets of Gotham #1
4 .BATMAN: Streets of Gotham #2
5. BATMAN: Streets of Gotham #3
6. BATMAN: Streets of Gotham #4

BELOW are my Reviews of the individual issues as they came out.

REVIEW 

 DETECTIVE #852

 

RATING: 3.5 out of 5 points:

This was a cool character development issue of HUSH.  If you like the criminal Hush, this is the issue for you.  If you don't know anything about Hush, this is still a good issue to read.  Dini quickly gives  a refresher on who Hush is in the first couple of pages, and then goes on to show  the despicableness of Hush's character.  This story continues in BATMAN # 685, so... IF you buy this issue you will end up buying that one. 

This is a great read, but nothing of Batman is actually in it.

FULL REVIEW: ******SPOILERS of the Story included, go to the next review in Blue if it isn't for you.

  

This issue takes place directly after the story line of  Heart of HUSH. Tommy Elliot, HUSH, thinks that he is finished and tries to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge.  A couple of fisherman find him and mistake him for Bruce Wayne.  Thus..he discovers that the everyday man on the street can't tell the difference between him and Bruce. The rest of the issue is of Tommy.... diving into the role of Bruce Wayne so that he can goose Wayne for as much money as he can.  It's important to know that at this point in the continuity, Tommy doesn't know that Bruce is really missing in action, and that is why, he doesn't try to take over at the top,...yet.

REVIEW 

  BATMAN # 685

The interaction between known characters was fun to read, but it felt like a filler issue.

FULL REVIEW: ******SPOILERS of the Story included, go to the next review in Blue if it isn't for you.

  

HUSH, while masquerading as Bruce Wayne in the jungles of Vietnam, meets up with Catwoman, who takes a bit of vengeance upon his hide.  I enjoyed the story but found it very uneventful. It does give transition in the overall story because it does tell how HUSH gets captured. 

REVIEW 
BATMAN: Streets of Gotham #1 #2 #3

Issue #1: IGNITION!, Issue #2: CITY ON FIRE, Issue #3 HUSH MONEY

RATING: 3.5 out of 5 points: 

This rating is on the story written by Paul Dini, not on the co-feature in the back of the issues.

These first three issues of the Streets of Gotham series, is a mosaic of backgrounds for several different stories lines that Dini develops later.  While it would make my life easier if he didn't shuffle these stories like a stack of cards, it does give you the feel that the  characters lives  are not singular, but weaved together upon one another, even if they don't knowingly acknowledge it.

I had to go back and reread these issues to actually understand what Dini was trying to do with these issues.  They contain background information that set up different stories that he will touch on in the future, but I also can see the interplay between the villains on the 'Gotham streets' and how their actions affect each other.

The storyline that got my attention the most, was the one with Thomas Elliot, Hush.  It travels through all three of these issues and is the reason why I grouped these issues together.  All story lines, even those in other series, that use the Wayne name, is affected by this plot, because it where Hush starts impersonating Bruce Wayne on a full time basis, with Wayne family approval, with limits of course.

In these issues we do see ABUSE for the first time, but it is not explained who, or what he is until issue 10. Also these three issues has Zsasz, and how he becomes "Mr Zsasz", but nothing of what he plans to do with his new persona.  Although... ,this information is nice to know, and helps with characterization, you don't necessary need to read these issue to enjoy the other stories when they finally unfold.

BATMAN: HUSH MONEY

Writer Paul Dini

Penciled & Cover: Dustin Nguyen

Inker/colors/letters: Derick Fridolfs/John Kalisz/Steve Wands

Publisher: DC Comics

BATMAN #685 : CATSPAW Part 2 of Hush Money

RATING: 3.5 out of 5 points: 

The interaction between known characters was fun to read, but it felt like a filler issue.

FULL REVIEW: ******SPOILERS of the Story included:

  

HUSH, while masquerading as Bruce Wayne in the jungles of Vietnam, meets up with Catwoman, who takes a bit of vengeance upon his hide.  I enjoyed the story but found it very uneventful. It does give transition in the overall story because it does tell how HUSH gets captured. 

Have I put enough spaces in this review? Because it's the shortest I've ever done.  It's hard to do a review when the issue doesn't Wow you or the issue isn't bad enough to trash.

BUT the cover that Nguyen did was awesome.

BATMAN #685
Title  CATSPAW
Part 2 of Hush Money

Writer Paul Dini

Penciled & Cover: Dustin Nguyen

Inker/colors/letters: Derick Fridolfs/Guy Major/John J Hill

Publisher: DC Comics